Using Light Polarization to Identify Fiber Orientation in Carbon Fiber Components: Metrological Analysis.

In this work, a method for measuring tow angles in carbon fiber components, based on the use of a polarized camera, is analyzed from a metrological point of view. Carbon fibers alter the direction of the reflected light's electrical field, so that in each point of the surface of a composite piece, the angle of polarization of reflected light matches the fiber orientation. A statistical analysis of the angle of linear polarization (AoLP) in each pixel of each examined area allows to evaluate the average winding angle.

Analysis of Tracheoesophageal Voice after Total Laryngectomy: A Single Center Experience.

: Tracheoesophageal voice is the most commonly used voice rehabilitation technique after a total laryngectomy. The placement of the tracheoesophageal prosthesis can be performed at the same time as the total laryngectomy (primary placement) or in a second procedure after surgery (secondary placement). The purpose of this study is to analyze the substitution voice in patients with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis, considering the influence of radiotherapy and timing of prosthesis placement (primary or secondary) on voice quality.

On null models for temporal small-worldness in brain dynamics.

Brain dynamics can be modeled as a temporal brain network starting from the activity of different brain regions in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals. When validating hypotheses about temporal networks, it is important to use an appropriate statistical null model that shares some features with the treated empirical data. The purpose of this work is to contribute to the theory of temporal null models for brain networks by introducing the random temporal hyperbolic (RTH) graph model, an extension of the random hyperbolic (RH) graph, known in the study of complex networks for its ability to reproduce crucial properties of real-world networks.

Responsiveness and Precision of Digital IMUs under Linear and Curvilinear Motion Conditions for Local Navigation and Positioning in Advanced Smart Mobility.

Sensors based on MEMS technology, in particular Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), when installed on vehicles, provide a real-time full estimation of vehicles' state vector (e.g., position, velocity, yaw angle, angular rate, acceleration), which is required for the planning and control of cars' trajectories, as well as managing the in-car local navigation and positioning tasks.

Immediate effects of the semi-occluded bubble mask technique using VocalFeel® device as vocal warm-up in singers.

Objective: The present study aims at investigating the immediate effects of the Semi-Occluded Bubble Mask Technique (SOBM) performed with the device VocalFeel® as a vocal warm-up in a group of professional singers.

Study Design: A randomized controlled study was carried out.

Methods: Forty-four vocally healthy professional singers were randomly divided into two groups on recruitment: an experimental group and a control group.

Cerebral Outflow Discrepancies in Recurrent Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: Focus on Ultrasonographic Examination.

This prospective pilot study aimed to evaluate whether cerebral inflow and outflow abnormalities assessed by ultrasonographic examination could be associated with recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Twenty-four patients with recurrent BPPV, affected by at least two episodes, and diagnosed according to American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) criteria, evaluated at our University Hospital, between 1 February 2020 and 30 November 2021, have been included. At the ultrasonographic examination, 22 of 24 patients (92%) reported one or more alterations of the extracranial venous circulation, among those considered for the diagnosis of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), although none of the studied patients were found to have alterations in the arterial circulation.

Takotsubo syndrome: more frequent in women, more dangerous in men.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute myocardial disease characterized by reversible left ventricular dysfunction, in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease, caused by adrenergic overactivity and associated with non-negligible morbidity and mortality. Takotsubo syndrome, by far more frequent in women, who account for 9 out of 10 cases, is generally triggered by intense psychoemotional stress. In men, TTS has different, though not yet fully defined, characteristics and clinical course.

A novel conceptual framework for the functionality of the glymphatic system.

The glymphatic system is responsible for the clearance of the potentially harmful metabolic waste of the central nervous system. The prevalent theory is that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulates in the perivascular space (PVS) and through the astrocytes' aquaporin-4 channels (AQ-4), and it is then drained by the lymphatic vessels after mixing with interstitial fluid (ISF). However, there is little evidence supporting this hypothesis.

DrosoPHILA: A Partnership between Scientists and Teachers That Begins in the Lab and Continues into City Schools.

Here, we describe the development, structure, and effectiveness of an outreach program, DrosoPHILA, that leverages the tools of our fly neurodevelopmental research program at the University of Pennsylvania to reinforce the biology curriculum in local public schools. DrosoPHILA was developed and is sustained by a continued collaboration between members of the Bashaw lab, experienced outreach educators, and teachers in the School District of Philadelphia. Since the program's inception, we have collaborated with 18 teachers and over 2400 students.

Research Evidence of the Role of the Glymphatic System and Its Potential Pharmacological Modulation in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The glymphatic system is a unique pathway that utilises end-feet Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) channels within perivascular astrocytes, which is believed to cause cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflow into perivascular space (PVS), providing nutrients and waste disposal of the brain parenchyma. It is theorised that the bulk flow of CSF within the PVS removes waste products, soluble proteins, and products of metabolic activity, such as amyloid-β (Aβ). In the experimental model, the glymphatic system is selectively active during slow-wave sleep, and its activity is affected by both sleep dysfunction and deprivation.

Recent Advances in Neuroimaging Techniques to Assist Clinical Trials on Cell-Based Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), are progressive disorders for which curative therapy is still lacking. Cell-based therapy aims at replacing dysfunctional cellular populations by repairing damaged tissue and by enriching the microenvironment of selective brain areas, and thus constitutes a promising disease-modifying treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Scientific research has engineered a wide range of human-derived cellular populations to help overcome some of the logistical, safety, and ethical issues associated with this approach.

[ANMCO Position paper: Antithrombotic treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing intracoronary stenting and/or acute coronary syndromes].

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with or without acute coronary syndromes (ACS) represent a subgroup with a challenging pharmacological management. Indeed, if on the one hand antithrombotic therapy should reduce the risk related to recurrent ischemic events and/or stent thrombosis, on the other hand care should be taken to avoid major bleeding events. In recent years, several trials, which overall included more than 12 000 patients, have been conducted demonstrating the safety of different therapeutic combinations of oral antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents.

Impact of digital monitoring on compliance and outcome of lifestyle-change measures in patients with coexistent atrial fibrillation and obesity.

Introduction: Obesity, a known risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), is potentially reversible through lifestyle changes, including diet and physical activity. However, lack of compliance is a major obstacle in attaining sustained weight loss. We investigated the impact of patient engagement using a digital monitoring system on compliance for lifestyle-change measures and subsequent outcome.

Predictors of RBD progression and conversion to synucleinopathies.

Purpose Of Review: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is considered the expression of the initial neurodegenerative process underlying synucleinopathies and constitutes the most important marker of their prodromal phase. This article reviews recent research from longitudinal research studies in isolated RBD (iRBD) aiming to describe the most promising progression biomarkers of iRBD and to delineate the current knowledge on the level of prediction of future outcome in iRBD patients at diagnosis.

Recent Findings: Longitudinal studies revealed the potential value of a variety of biomarkers, including clinical markers of motor, autonomic, cognitive, and olfactory symptoms, neurophysiological markers such as REM sleep without atonia and electroencephalography, genetic and epigenetic markers, cerebrospinal fluid and serum markers, and neuroimaging markers to track the progression and predict phenoconversion.

[Urinary tract infections in nephrology: antibiotic therapy in the era of antibiotic resistance].

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are an emerging health problem. Kidney patients with UTI are at increased risk of antimicrobials resistance (AMR) and bad prognosis. In the nephrological setting, optimizing the management of UTIs is certainly a challenge, but it is indispensable for a favorable clinical outcome and in fighting AMR.

Periprocedural Myocardial Injury in High-Risk Patients With NSTEMI Pretreated With Ticagrelor for Less or More Than 6 Hours Before PCI.

We assessed the impact on periprocedural myocardial injury of a ticagrelor loading dose given <6 or >6 hours before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients at high risk. All consecutive patients pretreated with ticagrelor and undergoing PCI for a high-risk NSTEMI have been included in the present analysis. Propensity-score matching was performed to compare the outcomes between patients pretreated with ticagrelor for >6 hours or ≤6 hours.

Laryngeal Taping as a Supportive Tool to Relieve Phonasthenia in Singers: A Preliminary Report.

Aim: This report aims to perform a preliminary evaluation of the role of taping in the improvement of phonasthenia among professional voice users. The larynx is a vital organ but also a work instrument for many people. Prevention of erroneous use of the vocal mechanism is essential for an optimal voice performance.

Network alignment and similarity reveal atlas-based topological differences in structural connectomes.

The interactions between different brain regions can be modeled as a graph, called connectome, whose nodes correspond to parcels from a predefined brain atlas. The edges of the graph encode the strength of the axonal connectivity between regions of the atlas that can be estimated via diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tractography. Herein, we aim to provide a novel perspective on the problem of choosing a suitable atlas for structural connectivity studies by assessing how robustly an atlas captures the network topology across different subjects in a homogeneous cohort.

One-year clinical outcome of patients with left ventricular thrombus after acute myocardial infarction discharged on triple or dual antithrombotic therapy.

In patients with left ventricular thrombus (LVT) after acute myocardial infarction (MI), both anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies are needed. It is unknown whether dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) is able to reduce the incidence of bleeding complications without significantly increasing the number of thromboembolic events, compared to triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT). We retrospectively evaluated all post-MI patients with LVT discharged on TAT or DAT from our tertiary hospital in the last decade.

Current management and prognosis of patients with recurrent myocardial infarction.

Recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI) is a common event following acute coronary syndrome (ACS), especially during the first year. According to epidemiological studies, patients who experience re-MI are at higher risk of all-cause cardiovascular events and mortality. The cornerstones of re-MI prevention include complete functional coronary revascularization, effective dual antiplatelet therapy and secondary prevention strategies.

Uncertainty Evaluation in Vision-Based Techniques for the Surface Analysis of Composite Material Components.

In this paper, a methodology is discussed concerning the measurement of yarn's angle of two different glass-reinforced polypropylene matrix materials, widely used in the production of automotive components. The measurement method is based on a vision system and image processing techniques for edge detection. Measurements of angles enable, if accurate, both useful suggestions for process optimization to be made, and the reliable validation of the simulation results of the thermoplastic process.

Nucleus basalis of Meynert degeneration predicts cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Cognitive impairment affects approximately 20%-50% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), with a higher prevalence as the disease advances. The nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) provides the majority of cholinergic innervations to the cerebral cortex. Dysfunction of the cholinergic system and degeneration of the NBM have been implicated in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative disorders including PD.

Fondaparinux During Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Counterpulsation in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Although anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) is commonly used during intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation to prevent thromboembolic events, no data or guidelines exist to support this strategy, especially in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study sought to compare the short-term outcome of UFH vs fondaparinux in AMI patients who underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and IABP insertion.

Methods: The anticoagulation therapy of revascularised AMI patients who received IABP counterpulsation and admitted to a tertiary hospital in the last decade was retrospectively evaluated.